Lordy,Lordy,where do you start with an album as good as this? From the opening salvo of the title track through to the ethereal beauty of Glass Arm Shattering,this is a flawless album. Starting off with the title track,it's a great rock song that meanders through several time signatures and tempo changes and features some great work from Richard Barbieri,an unsung hero on this album. I know it's a long track but it's just one of those that I never tire of listening to and don't want it to ever end. Then again,we'd miss out on Shallow,the next track,which sounds like Opeth in some parts,The Byrds the next and is one of the heaviest songs the band have yet recorded and finishes with a free for all thrash about at the end. A bigger contrast you could not get,for the next to come is Lazarus,a gentle,uplifting beauty of a song with a piano line that reminds me of a bloody Bronski Beat/Communards piece (Jimmy Somerville,worst singer EVER,by the way). It's a masterclass in simplicity,class and song-writing genius accompanied by some gorgeous backing vocals. HALO next! Just an utterly magnificent track from start to finish. Opening bars of Colin and Gav playing like funky muthas,SW pops up here and there with some minimalist yet glorious guitar-noises then it all builds into a consumate piece of lyrical dexterity and a band that are all on top form (special mention to JW and his backing vocals). Oh bugger,I'll have to do an abridged version,I've got a visitor. Right,Arriving Somewhere But Not Here is another long piece that never gets tiresome,staid or boring cos there's so much going on in it. Mellotron Scratch is another gently meandering beauty,vocals are very like Cosmic Rough Riders in parts,just love the close harmonies and the noisy end fits perfectly,Pure Reason Revolution/Floyd-esque dreamy vocals. OPEN CAR!!! My all-time fave PT track. Starts off with just SW and his guitar,cool,quite heavy riff which leads to a major explosion of sound when the band kick in. ABSOLUTE GENIUS,NO OTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT. Will have to really cut it short now,my guests are getting impatient. The Start of Something Beautiful and Glass Arm Shattering bring the album to an almost beatific and sedate end and both are overlooked gems. In summation,m'lud,this is up there with The Wall (Floyd) and Amorica (The Black Crowes) in my all-time top 3 albums. Can't fault anything about it,a wide variety of styles as always,heavier than they've ever been and every song is a classic. One of those rare albums where you don't skip any song,you take it all in as a whole and it will be rewarding me for many,many years.....absolutely glorious album,don't dither,buy it now if you don't have it. Trust me,I'm a gynaecologist. (Not really)Read full review
Best effort by Porcupine Tree. One great tune after another. A real mix of soft and loud, sweet and sharp. Have listened to it 20 times and expect to enjoy it many more times.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you know Porcupine Tree, you know they have such depth in their catalog of music. This one, like every other PT disc, doesn't disappoint!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is my introduction to this modern prog band. I think it's excellent. The proggy-spacey parts are excellent. At times they remind me of Rush. Other times, during the heavier parts, they remind me of Disturbed. But the mellower songs are very Pink Floyd like, and even Opeth like. Some parts are quite exquisite and beautiful. The opening track is easily the best on the album. Overall a great album. Now I want to check out their earlier albums.
great band
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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